Allein Maliksi provided a huge lift in the second half as Meralco fended off the Blackwater in overtime, 102-98, to notch its first win streak of the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Friday, Nov. 11.
Maliksi dropped all of his 16 points in the second half including a huge triple with 28 seconds left in the extra period to help the Bolts sustain their sudden resurgence for the second straight game and climb up to the 10th spot of the standings, tied with NLEX with identical 3-5 records.
KJ McDaniels remained solid in his second game for Meralco finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds and five assists including the crucial block on the Barkley Ebona’s attempt that could have given the Bossing a two-point cushion but instead resulted in the booming triple from Maliksi.
Aaron Black added 18 points while Chris Banchero contributed 17.
Maliksi, after being held scoreless in the first two quarters, came alive in the final frame when he helped the Bolts establish a comfortable 13-point lead, 83-70, midway through the final frame.
Just when Meralco looked like it was about to cruise to the victory, Mike Ayonayon, after riding the bench in the first three quarters, pumped some life to the Blackwater’s cause with back-to-back triples. He scored nine of his 11 points inside the final seven minutes of regulation to force the extra period, 89-all.
That was when McDaniels provided the big plays as after drilling a triple of his own early in overtime pulled off the stops that led to the Maliksi basket to repel Blackwater in the waning seconds.
Cameron Krutwig led the Bossing with 23 points and 19 rebounds while Ato Ular added 15 points and 13 boards. Trevis Jackson and Gab Banal added 14 points apiece, all of which however, went down the drain as the Bossing absorbed their fourth straight defeat for a 3-7 slate.